Every Picture Is a Compromise
Lessons from the Also-rans
Most photography websites show the photographer's very best work. Wonderful. But that's not the full story of a creative life. If we want to learn, we'd better pay attention to the images that aren't "greatest hits" and see what lessons they have to offer. Every picture is a compromise — the sum of its parts, optical, technical, visual, emotional, and even cosmic – well, maybe not cosmic, but sometimes spiritual. Success on all fronts is rare. It's ok to learn from those that are not our best.
This is a series about my also-rans, some of which I've been able to improve at bit (i.e., "best effort"), none of which I would consider my best. With each there are lessons worth sharing, so I will.
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Original digital capture
What I saw that I liked:When I saw this (above), I thought of a cattail. When I saw this (left), I thought of my ex-mother-in-law. What I hope you learned:This is an experiment in the power of words to shape our visual interpretations. Think title, captions, voice overs, etc. As a creator, you can direct how your audience interprets your images. Now that I've introduced the "mother-in-law" comment, can you see that catttail to the left as anything other than a face? A one-eyed, hairy, deformed nose, bearded, barbaric face? We are a verbal species. You and I are visual artists — good for us. Let's not forget, however, the power of combining image and text. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextI'll bet you still can't see it as anything other than a face. |
